Michelin Guide missed Hanoi’s five best street food spots: US website

Joshua Zukas, a travel writer based in Vietnam for over 10 years, wrote in his latest article in the Business Insider that he thinks the Michelin Guide missed Hanoi’s five best street food spots.

Zukas said when recommending spots offering a unique dining experience, he takes the food into account, but also considers the atmosphere, the setting, the location, the story behind the establishment, and the uniqueness of the experience.

Fish soup with rice vermicelli noodles and topped with deep-fried fish, dill, spring onions, and other greens at Bún Cá Sâm Cây Si (Photo: Joshua Zukas)

Coming in first on Zukas’ list is Bun Ca Sam Cay Si in Trung Yen Alley, Hanoi. Bun Ca is fish soup with rice vermicelli noodles and topped with deep-fried fish, dill, spring onions, and other greens. Order it here with a side of “nem cá”, a kind of fried fish cake.

It was followed by Pho Bung Hang Trong. This eatery existed for more than two decades on the street, but the family eventually moved the business into their home. The dining room doubles as the family’s bedroom, living room, and space for the decorated family altar, offering a rare glimpse of what it’s like to live in the Old Quarter.

The list also includes Pho Hanh near the corner of two of Hanoi’s most storied streets: Thuoc Bac and Lan Ong.

Zukas’ list also includes banh cuon (rice paper rolls with minced pork) in Yen Phu, Tay Ho district. Part of the fun of eating banh cuon is watching the chef pour the rice batter into the large cloth steamer pot and then rolling the rice pancake into delicate parcels.

Last but not least is glass noodles with goose near the railway tracks on Tran Phu street, Hoan Kiem district. Aside from serving some of the best mien ngan in town, Nhà Hàng Thanh's appeal lies in its proximity to the railway tracks. You can still watch Hanoi grind to a halt when the train rumbles past at 7 p.m., 7.45 p.m., and 8.30 p.m. daily, said Joshua Zukas.